Ravitch warns roads, bridges need money

Published 12:00 am, Thursday, November 18, 2010

Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch says higher taxes, tolls on more bridges and roads will be needed to update the state's infrastructure to meet the demands of the coming decades. (Times Union archive)

Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch says higher taxes, tolls on more bridges and roads will be needed to update the state's infrastructure to meet the demands of the coming decades. (Times Union archive)

Photo: 00007887A

Ravitch warns roads, bridges need money

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

The state will likely need more tolls, as well as special taxing districts and more streamlined environmental reviews if it is to keep up with its road, bridge and mass transit needs in coming years, Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch said.

"New York has long failed to secure enough revenues to meet both the operating expenses and the capital requirements of its transportation system," Ravitch concluded in his report on the state's transit needs set for release Thursday. It is the third of three studies he has submitted the past year.

Known as one of the masterminds of the plan that rescued New York City from the brink of financial collapse in the 1970s, Ravitch earlier offered proposals to improve the state's budgeting process, and for having local government employees pay for more of their health care costs.

In his transportation capital report, Ravitch concludes that big changes are needed, given the age and decaying conditions of the state's roads, bridges and railways.

To deal with the funding gap, the state should look at regional taxing districts for what Ravitch termed mega-projects such as replacing the deteriorating 55-year-old old Tappan Zee bridge which links Rockland and Westchester counties across the Hudson River. It could cost $6 billion to $10 billion to replace.

Ravitch also called for "rationalizing tolls" or phasing in a toll program for "all key bridges and statewide roads."

Currently, only certain bridges and roads have tolls.

Additionally, Ravitch said major projects should be bid on a "design-build" basis in which one entity would design and construct the facility, rather than having separate bids for the designers and builders.

It wasn't immediately clear how the governor or lawmakers would view the suggestions.

Gov. David Paterson and lawmakers rebuffed Ravitch's proposal for limited borrowing to close state budget gaps.

And an employer tax that lawmakers approved for downstate counties served by the MTA became a political liability on Nov. 2 when residents voted some advocates out of office.